An unnamed African woman who goes by the username Noble Nails on TikTok and Instagram claims to be a certified nail technician, and she used her equipment to file a gap between a willing woman’s two front teeth.
In addition to pedicures and manicures, she also specializes in gold teeth, body piercing, and eyelash extensions, according to her TikTok page.
“I’m available for Your Gaps teeth (open teeth) even if you’re ugly don’t worry It’s we add to your beauty,” Noble Nails said on her Instagram.
Gapped teeth, or diastema as it is clinically called, are naturally associated with gum disease, but in the Western world, it is a cosmetic concern.
The viral video in question, in which Noble Nails uses a nail drill to carve an artificial gap between a young woman’s two front teeth, has been viewed almost 5 million times, with comments expressing a mixture of confusion, mockery, and doubt.
Some TikTok users have expressed concern for the client’s health, saying she would more than likely have exposed nerve endings from the procedure, some say she might need a dental crown or veneer, and others say a root canal is imminent.
Regardless of what the commenters say, it appears that Noble Nails’ surgery is nothing new in African countries, and in particular, in West African culture, especially in Ghana, Namibia, and Nigeria, a gap tooth is a symbol of beauty.
A gap tooth is a sign of fertility and wealth.
Surgeries like the one Noble Nails performed are common as women seek artificial gaps in their teeth to meet traditional standards of beauty.
Having a gap tooth is considered a sign of fertility, youth, and good health as it is associated with a higher chance of having children.
It is believed that having a gap between the teeth is a symbol of wealth because in the past only rich people could afford to have their teeth straightened and whitened, making a gap tooth a status symbol.
